12 Lord Lilford^s Cruise in the Mediterranean. 



Blackcap, Black-headed Warbler, and common Wren. The 

 usual Mediterranean Gulls frequented the harbour in large 

 numbers; and I obtained specimens of Larus canus, L. 

 leucophaus, L. melanoce'phalus , and L. ridibundus ; the first 

 mentioned was decidedly the least common, and the third the 

 most abundant species of Gull during our stay at Naples. 

 The weather, as I have mentioned, was so cold and wet that 

 we were prevented from seeing much of the neighbourhood ; 

 but we went of course to Pozzuoli, Baise, Astroni, Capo di 

 Monte, and from Torre del Annunziata, whither I sent the 

 yacht, to Pompeii. 



The lake of Avernus has lost its ancient deadly character ; 

 and we saw many Coots and Dabchicks taking their pleasure 

 thereon, whilst Blackbirds and Robins were whistling gaily 

 in the surrounding copses without the slightest perceptible 

 symptom of approaching asphyxia. I noticed a great many 

 bats flying in the broad sunshine, and succeeded in knocking 

 one down with the carriage-whip, which proved to be a 

 specimen of Vespertilio schreibersi. I distinguished many 

 other species, notably V. murinus, but could not persuade 

 the natives to preserve me specimens of any of this interesting 

 order of animals. I made acquaintance with Prof. G. Palma, 

 of the University, who courteously did me the honours of the 

 Zoological collections belonging to that institution, and also 

 showed me a small private collection at his own house. 



The University Museum contains a fair local collection of 

 birds ; but the setting-up and mounting is lamentable, and the 

 ornithological department altogether unworthy of such a city 

 as Naples. Prof. Palma^s collection contains several speci- 

 mens of Larus in various plumages, which completely puzzled 

 me, exhibiting, as they did, many characteristics of both 

 Larus melanocephalus and L. ridibundus. I came very reluc- 

 tantly to the conclusion that they must be hybrids ; but I 

 hope I am wrong, and that our friend Mr. Saunders, who 

 has devoted so much attention to this family, may some day 

 see them and enlighten us. I obtained my principal inform- 

 ation about sport in the southern provinces fi'om Cavaliere 

 Mario Mattino, who is Grand Veneur to the King. He in- 



